Electric control



Sept. 24, 1929. H. l.. sAMPsoN 1,728,983

ELECTRIC CONTROL Filed Jan. 10. 192'? Patented sept 24, 1929 UNITED STATES HENRY L. SAMPSON, OF LOS ANGELESCALIFOBNIA ELECTRIC CONTROL Application led. January 10, 1927. Serial No. 160,137.

rlhis invention has to do with an electric control suitable ior use`iu connection with switch or circuit breaker' reclosinp` mechanisms, or other like or similar devices.

i lil-cuit breakers are frequently used in situations where it is desirable tor them to be automatically reclosed several times before before being left in open position. Automatic breaker reclosing means have been developed to meet this condition and, in general, such means usually include a mechanical or an electrical and mechanical device for actuating` the breaker and an electrical control tor governing the. operation ot such device. In

my coll-pending application, entitled Reclosingme'chanism for circuit breakers, Serial No. 160,138. tiled January 10, 1927, l set forth an electrically powered mechanical device for reclosing a breaker, While in this application l set forth an electrical control suitable for use in combination with suoli device.

lt is an object of my present invention to provide a simple, etl'ective and reliable electrical control for a breaker reclosing mechanism. or the like.

The various objects and features of my.l invention will be best and more fully understood from the followingdetailed description of a typical form' and application of the in vention, throughout which description reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which: p

Fig. 1 is a View illustrating the device provided by my invention in its normal unactuated position;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the device partially operated or in an intermediate position.;

Fig. 3 is a view similarl to Figs. l and E2, showing the device in the locked out position; and

Fig. t is a diagram illustrating' the electrical connections provided by my invention.

My present invention is applicable, generally, to devicesY or equipment requiring manipulation or control similar to that required by certain circuit breakers or circuit breaker reclosingl mechanisms. To facilitate an undcrstamlingot' my invention, but without liniiting its scope or range ot application, I

will make particular reference to the invention as applied to or used in connection with a circuit breaker reclosing mechanism, and in this connection l will state that the present invention may be advantageously employed in connection with a reclosing mechanism such as l set forth and`claim in my above mentioned co-pending application.

The device provided by my present invention includes, generally, an o erating member l0, for connection with a circuit breaker or reclosing mechanism, a movable Contact ll, operable from the operating member through a control member l2, a stationary contact 13 connected with an alarm le and arranged to co-operate with the contact 1l, a stationary contact 15 connected in the operating circuit to the reclosing mechanism, a movable contact lt and a. stationary contact 17 arranged to co-operate in controlling the circuit to the releasing means 18, a movable contact 19 and a stationary contact 2O arranged to cti-operate in controlling the circuit to the rec-losing7 mechanism and various other parts, the details and functions of which will be hereinafter set forth.

7lthe operating member is in the form of an arm pivotally mounted on a pin 25, carried by a frame plate 2G. The member 10 is adapted to be oscillated between what l will term a down position, as is shown in Fig. 1., and an up position, as is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. An operating' connection is provided between the member l0 and a suitable movable part, either of the circuit breaker or the reclosing mechanism; `The connection may be made through a rod 27, or other suitable means. l have eliminated from the disclosure any part ot vthe circuit breaker or reclosing mechanism, as such "devices are familiar toA l those skilled in this art and need no detailed explanation. lt will be suiicient to state that rThe movable Contact il is carried on one end of a lever 3() pivotally mounted ena pin 3l carried by the trame lThe other end ot the lever is provided with a. which ce-operatively engages the control member l2. The cont-act ll is carried on a spring` arrn and is movable in one direction ii'rom its normal position to engage the contact i8, and. in the other direction to engage the contact l5. 'lhe control member lf2 is in the form oil dish' rotatably mounted on the pin Q5 adjacent the operating,` member i0, rllhe dislf has a cam part which co-operates with or is engaged by the head 32 of the lever 30. rlhe cam part is provided at one end with a shallow depression 3d to receive the head 32 when the parts are in the normal position and at the other end with a deep depression 8G to receive the head 82 when the device has been completely end finally operated. rlhe middle or intermediate part of the com is such as to hold the lever 30 in position where the contact il engages the contact rlhe cam part is so designed with reference to the ever and its head, that the contact ll is held in an intermediate or neutral position between the contacts 13 and l5 when the head is in the shallow depression7 engages the Contact l5 when the heed 32 is in engagement with the middle part or" the cam, and engages the contact i3 when the head 32 is in the deep depression 36 The parts are related so that the contact il is in the neutral position when the oevice is in its normal unactnated position, is i engagement with the Contact 13 when the device is completely and iinally actuated, and is in engagement with thecontact l when the device 1s in any intermediate or partially ac; tuated position. The control member is normally urged in the direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow in ig. la through the action of a spring` 37 which has one end attached to the pin and the other` end attached to the control member.

The operating member 10 carries a spring` pressed pawl 88 which eo-operates with 'a series of notches 39 in the periphery oit' the control member to cause rotation ol the control member with the operating' member when the ope ating member is moved trom its down position to its up position. A control pawl L.l09 actuated by a spring' L Ly is arranged to eooperate with a second series ot notches 4t2 provided in the periphery ot the control meniber to catch and hold the control member against return rotation upon its being advanccd through the action ot' the pawl' 8S. The pawl 38 is provided with a tail part 38 which (2o-operates with a` projection 4t2 so that it is lifted out ot engagement with the series of notches when the operating member 10 is in the down position, but is immediately released to engage the notches when the operating member starts its upward movement. ln the particular construction shown in the drawings, the device is adapted to energize or close the circuit to the rcclosiugg' mechanism three times ind then leave the circuit pernmnently open. ln this case7 'the control member includes 'iour notches 3S). It beingjr obvious that the notches 3l) and 4t2 in the control member are properlyv related with re'lerence to the cam part, which operates the lover Si), so that the head 32 ot the lever BO is in the shallow depression when the operating member is in position with the paw] ready to engage the first notch 39 while the deep depression receives the head when the pawl 38 has moved the operating` member a ttor cngac'inp' the last notch 3).

rlhe means 1S, provided for releasing` the holding' pa wl 4:0, includes a heat coil 4l and a movable element. associated with the coil and connected with an arm el@ extending' 'from the pawl. The .i'novable element l5 is ot the type 'found in thermostats ot various kinds and is adapted to "move, as indicated by the arrow in l, upon the coil -ll being' energized loneA enough to warm the element. The connection between the i'novable element 45 and the nrm {l-G may include a connecting' rod 4S carried by the arm and extending through an opening' in the element. rllhe rod is provided with a stop adapted to be engaged by the element so that the arm is moved with the clcmenh although the arm can be. moved manually independently ot thc element. In prac; tice, the rod il 'an be extended to any suitable point where it will be convenient to ope ate.

The contacts lo and l5) are carried on spaced spring arms :El and 52, respectivelye and are adapted to be moved 'from the operating` member l0 through a pivoted lever O0 having one ein operatively connected with the member l() and the other end arranged between the arms 5l and rlhe end 53 ofi the lever extends into a suitable recess 5G in the operat ing` member lO so that the, lever is moved between the position shown in Fig. l to that shown in Fig. 2 upon the member 10 being moved between the down position and the up position, lilhen the operating member 10 is in the down position, the end 5l ot' tho lever 90 is in position where it engages the arm 5l to hold the contact 'lo in engagement with the Contact 17. lli/Then the lever is in the. other position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5L the end o t the lever engages the arm 52 to'hold the com act if) in engagement with the contact 20.

rlhe electrical connections Aprovided with 'the parte which l have above described re sult in the control ot' a motor hi, or the like, the heat coil lL/l, and an alarm 1-1- from the operating' member l0. le may consider energy supplied from any suitable source such a, generator G. Une side or pole ot the ,frenerator is connected with the contact ll through :i line 60, while the other pole is com ncctcd directly with one side or pole ot the motor M through a line 61. The connection between the contact 11 and the other pole ot the motor M is completed through the contact 15, a connection (S2 connecting' the contact 15 with the Contact 19, the contact 2t), and a line G3 connecting the contact Q0 with said other pole otl the motor. It will thus be seen that the motor is energized only when the contactsI 11 and 15 and the contacts 19 and 2O are together. Such condition is illustrated in Fig. i2 ot the drawings, which positioning ot the device occurs when the operating member 10 is up and the breaker is open. l will term this circuit between the generator and motor the main circuit.

The alarm 14 is connected with the line 61 from the generator through a connection 65 and is connected from the line 60 through contact 13 and a line G6. l have, tor sake oi example, illustrated a simple bell alarm operated from the generator circuit through transformer T. The alarm circuit, as will term it, is closed only when the contact 11 is in engagement with the Contact 13.

The heating' coil 44 has one terminal connected with the line (51 from the generator by a. suitable connection and its other terminal connected with the contact 17 by a connection 71. The Contact 1G, which cooperates with the contact 17, is electrically connected with the contact 19 which, as be't'ore stated, is connected with the contact 15 by the connection 62. lVith this arrangement, the coil 44 is energized only when the contacts 11 and 15 and the contacts 16 and 17 are together. The circuit tothe coil 44 will be termed the release circuit.

In operation, the various parts of the device are normally in the position illustrated in Fig. 1, in Which case the head 32 ot the lever 30 is in the shallow depression 34 so that the contact l1 is spaced Jfrom both the contacts 13 and 15. Under this condition, all circuits are open. Upon the breaker opening` andthe operating:T member 10 being` moved to the up position, as shown in Fig. 2, the cam part of the control member moves the lever 30 so that the contact 11 engagesthe Contact 15 and the lever 90 is moved to position where it causes the Contact 4,19 to engage the contact 20. The movement ot the control member to cause operation ot the lever 30 is caused by the pawl 3S engaging the first notch 39. lVith the parts inthis position, the contacts 11 and 15 and the contacts 12) and 20 are together and therefore the main circuit is closed and the motor M is put in operation. rllhe parts will remain in this position and the main circuit to the motor Wll remain closed until the motor has functioned to etliect reclosing of the breaker, at Which time the operating member 10 will return to its down position. The control member Will be held by the paivl 4() in the position to Which it ivas moved by the pawl 38.

ln this ease, the lever will have returned to the position shown in Fig. 1, while the lever 30 will remain in the position shown in Fig. 2, thus causing the contacts 11 and 15 and the contacts 16 and 17 to be in engagement, under which condition the release circuit is closed so that the heating coil 4.4 is energized. It the operating member 10 remains in the 'down position, or in other Words, it the circuitI breaker remains Closed, the connection just described will continue until the heating coil causes movement of the element 45 so that the paivl 40 releases the control member 12, allowing the control member to be returned by the spring;- 37 to its normal position, shown in Fig. 1, in which positioning;` ot parts the lever 30 holds the contact 11 out ot engagement with the contacts 13 and 15 and all circuits are open. However, it' the breaker does not remain closed, but is again thrown open, the operating' member 10 Will again move from the down position to the up position, in 'which case the pawl 3S engages the second notch 39 and causes the control member to rotate or advance. The parts then will be in the position shown in Fig'. 2, except that the control member will be one notch advanced, in which case the main circuit is closed so that the reclosing;` mechanism functions to again reclose the brealnfr. llhis repeated reelosingl ot ythe breaker or closing ot' the main circuit to the motor M will continue until such time as the breaker remains closed or the control member has rotated to a position Where the head drops in to the deep depression 3G, which operation allows the lever SOto move the contact 11 out oi engagement With the contact 15 and into engagement with the contact 13. lith the contact 11 in engagement with the contact 1?), the main circuit. and the release circuit are open while the alarm circuitis closed and thus serves to notify an attendant that the control has functioned its speciticd number ot times Without the breaker stayincr closed. lit will be obvious that the number ot' times the main circuit is reclosed will depend upon the 'design and proportioning of the control member 12. By providing a suitable cam part and arrangement ot notches on the control part, the main circuit can be rcclosed the desired number ot times. ly providingii'lterchangeable control parts ot dilferent designs, the operation of the device can be readily changed as desired.

lflavinc; described only a typical pre l'erred form ot' my invention, l do not wish to hmit TUO mysel't to the specific details set iortb, but

wish to reserve to mysel't any (.'fhanges or va riations that may appear to those skillp-.l in the art or fall Within the scope or' the iollowing claims:

Having` described my invention, l claim:

1. A control of the character .described including a main circuit, a release circuit. a contact in said circuits operable to closed posi- Viti 4 matroos tion, a. second contact in the main circuit operable to closed position, a third contact in the release circuit operable to closed position, an operating member operable between a normal and an actuated position and connected with the second Contact to hold it in closed position when actuated and connected with the third contact to hold it in closed position when unactuated, a control member adapted to be actuated by operation ol" the operating member1neans whereby the control member operates to hold the tirst mentioned contact in closed position during a predetermined number of operations ot the control member, and a rcleasabl e retaining4 device operable to hold the control member actuated, said device being operatively connected with the release circuit to be released upon said circuit being closed a predetermined length of time.

2. control of the character described including a. main circuit, a restoring' circuit, a contact device normally open and connected in the main circuit and the restorii'ig circuit, a second contact device in the main circuit, a third contact devicein the restoring circuit, an operating member movable between a normal position and an actuated position, means operatively connecting' the operating' member and the first mentioned contact device vfhereby the iirst mentioned contact device is held closed during` a predetermined number of operations ot the operating member, said means including a cani device advanced by operation ot the operating member andua lever engaging the cam device and operatively connected with the said contact device, and means whereby the second contact device closed lwhen the operating` member is in the actuated position and the third Contact device is closed when the operating member is in the normal position, said last mentioned means including a lever operated by the operating member and engaging the second and third Contact devices to actuate them.

A. control of 'the character described including a main circuit, a restoringcircuit, contact device normally open and connected in the main circuit and the restoring circuit, a second Contact device in the main circuit, a third contact device in 'the restoriingy circuit.,l an operating,r member movable between a normal position and an actuated position, means operatively connect-ing the operatingr member and the iirst mentioned contact device wbereby the first mentioned contact device held closed during a. predetermined number or" operations of the operating' member, said means including a rotatable control part, a lever operatively connected in the control part with the contact device and a. ratchet connecting said part and the operatiuyhfr member whereby the said part is advanced by successive operationsot the operatine` member, and means ivhcreby the second contact device is closed when the operating member in theV actuated position and the third contact device is closed ivhcnthc operating member is in the normal position.

A control of the character described including a main circuit, a restoring circuit7 a contact device normally open and connected in the main circuit and the restoring circuit, a second contact device in the main circuit, a third contact device in the restoring circuit, an operating member movable between a normal position and an actuated position, means operatively connecting the operating member and the first mentioned contact device Whereby the irst mentioned Contact device is held closed during a predetermined number of operations ot' the operating member, said means including,r a control disk having` a cam part, a lever operatively connected with the contact deviceand engaging the cam part of the disk` and ratchet means liotween the cam part and operating member whereby the cam part is advanced by successive operations ot the operating;f member, and means whereby the second contact device is closed when the operating member is in the actuated position and the 'third contact device is closed when the operating member is in the noi-nml position.

5. A control device of the character described includine a main circuit, a release circuit, a contact device normally open and in the main circuit and release circuit, a second contact device in the main circuit, a third contact device in the release circuit, an operating member, a. control member adapted to be advanced by actuation of the operatingr member, thermostatic means controlled by the release circuit operable to releasably hold the control member in its advanced positions, means vfhereby the first mentioned contact device is held closed during a predetermined number ot operations of the control member, and means whereby the second contactdevice is closed when the operating member is in au actuated position and the third contact dcvice is closed when the operating` member is in its normal positiom 6. A control device of the character dcscribed including a main circuit, a release circuit, a contact device normally open and in the main circuit and release circuit, a second contact device in the main circuit, a third Contact device in the rel ease. circuit, an operatino; member, a control member adapted to be advanced by actuation of the operating member, thermostatic means controlled by the release circuit operable to releasably hold the control member in its advanced positions, means whereby the first mentioned contact device is held closed during a predetermined number of operations of the control member, and means whereby the second contact device is closed 'when the operating` member is in au actuated position and the third Contact dcvic-e is closed when the operating member is itl() in its normal position, said thermostatic means including a ratchet device engaging the control member.

7. A control device of the character de- 5 scribed including a main circuit, a release circuit, a contact device normally open and in the main circuit and release circuit, a Second' contact device in the main circuit, a third contact device in the release circuit, an operating member, a control member adapted to be advanced by actuation of the operating member, thermostatic means controlled by the release circuit operable to releasably hold the control member in its ad- ]5 vanced positions, means whereby the first mentioned contact device is held closed during a predetermined number of operations of the control member, and means whereby the second contact device is closed when the operating member is in an actuated position and the third Contact device is closed when the operating member is in its normal position, said thermostatic means includingr a ratchet device engaging the control member and a heating coil connected in the release circuit.

8. A control of the character described including a main circuit, a release circuit, a contact device normally open and connected in said circuits, an operating member, a control 80 member, a ratchet connection between the operating member and control member Whereby the control member is advanced by actuation of the operating member, means whereby the iirst mentioned contact device is held closed during a predetermined number of advances of the control member, means whereby the second contact device is closed when the operating member is in an actuated position and the third contact device is closed when the operating member is in the normal position, a ratchet device for releasably holding the control` member in advanced positions, and a thermostatic device for releasing the said last mentioned ratchet device including a heating coil connected in the release circuit.

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 7th day of December 1926.

HENRY L. SAMPSON. 

